Legislation : Seat Belt Resolution

Resolution in Support of Primary (Standard) Enforcement Seat Belt Law

Whereas, motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death and injury to North Dakotans, and

Whereas, the use of seat belts is proven effective in reducing deaths and injuries from motor vehicle crashes, and

Whereas, in North Dakota, in 2007, 65 people who were killed in motor vehicle crashes were unrestrained, and

Whereas, a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study found that inpatient costs for unbelted crash victims was 55 percent higher than those who were belted, and

Whereas, all North Dakotans are impacted – physically, emotionally or economically by motor vehicle crash victims who made a choice not to buckle up, and

Whereas, North Dakota law requires the use of seat belts by front seat motor vehicle occupants, but only allows secondary enforcement, and

Whereas, states with primary (standard) enforcement seat belt laws have seat belt use rates that are 10 to 15 percent higher than those with secondary enforcement provisions.

Therefore, be it resolved, that the North Dakota Public Health Association
Supports passage and enactment of a legislation that would amend North Dakota’s seat belt law to allow primary (standard) enforcement.